Creating Me

Cream Infinity Scarf

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Anita

Does it still feel like winter where you are? Here in Alabama we’ve gotten a little break from the cold and it feels like spring is just around the corner – but I’m sure the weather is just teasing us! In case old man winter is still hanging around your area, here’s a warm infinity scarf that will help take the edge off the chill while adding a cute accessory to your outfit.

I found this great pattern from Hooked on Crafting while perusing Pinterest. What did I ever do before Pinterest was available?!?!? Seriously, I find so much great inspiration there – it’s a crafter’s paradise. But I digress…

This is a very forgiving pattern, meaning that gauge is not important. You can adjust your yarn weight and hook to make a lighter or heavier scarf. As she suggests in the pattern, softer yarn works best for better drape.

I used a cream color worsted weight yarn and an H hook to make my scarf. I’m sorry that I don’t have the info on which brand I used, but the yarn was in my stash and the label had gotten lost. It is a very soft yarn similar to Caron Simply Soft. It could very well be that brand – it’s one of my favorites! I love that my scarf is so neutral that I can wear it with almost anything! And doubling it up makes me feel all warm and cozy. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Rubber Ducky Baby Card

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Anita

A very special friend just had her 2nd little girl!! Her sweet sister hosted a fun baby shower for her so, of course, I made a card for the occasion.

The stamp, embossing folder, and punches are all from Stampin’ Up. I stamped the rubber ducky with brown ink on white card stock, colored the image with Copic markers, and punched it out with a circle punch. I then layered it to a scalloped circle punched from pink card stock. I embossed a panel of white card stock with the heart embossing folder and layered it to pink card stock. I tied the panel with yellow gingham ribbon and attached it to a white card. The stamped image is attached to the card with pop dots.

Every baby needs a rubber ducky – even if it is only a stamped one. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Valentine Heart Lollipops

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Anita

I found this cute idea on Pinterest from The Idea Room. They looked so sweet that I just had to give them a try. She gives great directions on how to make them – so simple to do. If you have left over candy canes from Christmas this is a great way to use them!

Here’s what they looked like after I added the melted vanilla candy (I used candy melts from the cake decorating section of my local craft store) and sprinkles.

I packaged them in little bags (also from the cake decorating section) and tied them with red and white bakers twine. They are so cute in my painted mason jar!

Wishing you a sweet Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Last Minute Valentine Card

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Anita

Only 5 days until Valentine’s Day! Here’s a quick and easy, last minute card for your special Valentine. ❤

The stamps, die, and punch are from Stampin’ Up and the embossing folder is from The Paper Studio at Hobby Lobby.

To make the card, emboss a panel of white card stock with the heart embossing folder. Attach a piece of red polka dot ribbon to the panel and tie with a piece of twine. Attach the panel to turquoise card stock and attach to a red card. Stamp three hearts with red and turquoise ink. Die cut with heart die and attach to card with pop dots. Attach a heart button to center heart. Stamp sentiment with turquoise ink on white card stock, punch with oval punch, and attach to card.

You can easily change the sentiment from “friends” to another sentiment to make it the perfect card for your Valentine. ❤

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Crochet Heart Dishcloth

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Anita

Do you need a little something for your kitchen, or for a friend, that says Happy Valentine’s Day without all the calories? I found the pattern for this sweet dishcloth on All Free Crochet. It also includes patterns for a hot pad and pot holders.

The dishcloth whips up quickly with cotton worsted weight yarn so you still have time to make a couple before Valentine’s Day gets here!! Mine doesn’t lay quite as flat as the picture in the instructions, but I kind of like the ruffly edge. 🙂

Right now, I’m using it to decorate my little kitchen cart. It goes perfectly with my red KitchenAid mixer!

I may decide it’s just too cute to actually use for washing dishes! 😉 ❤

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Decor, Gifts, Uncategorized, Valentine | 1 Comment

Painted Distressed Mason Jar

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Anita

I’ve seen these painted distressed mason jars everywhere and decided it was finally time to try my hand at painting them. Since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I chose this beautiful red paint – added bonus, I use red in my everyday decor so I can use this pretty jar all year!

I picked up this Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint at Hobby Lobby. It’s an 8 ounce jar and of course I used a 40% off coupon!!

Before applying any paint, wash the mason jar thoroughly with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry completely. Then apply a thin coat of paint to the outside of the jar. This is the jar after one thin coat of paint applied with a 1″ wide paintbrush. I applied a total of 3 coats, making sure to let each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next.

After the last coat of paint was completely dry, I sanded the raised areas on the jar to give it a distressed look. I wiped the jar with a soft cloth to remove the dust after sanding. Then I sprayed the jar with 2 light coats of a matte finish sealing spray to protect the paint.

And here’s the finished jar…

I’m really liking the way this turned out! I think I will have to make more…

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Decor, Gifts, Uncategorized, Valentine | 1 Comment

Valentine Tag

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Anita

What says Happy Valentine’s Day better than a treat bag full of chocolate? To make it just a little more special, I added this sweet tag.

The stamps and punches are from Stampin’ Up. Stamp the heart and sentiment with red ink on white card stock and punch out. Attach sentiment to heart. Punch a circle from red card stock and attach heart to circle with pop dots. Punch a larger circle from patterned paper. Attach heart circle to patterned circle. Attach entire piece to scalloped circle punched from red card stock. Punch a tiny hole in the top and tie to treat bag with red and white twine.

A perfect little treat for your special Valentine! ❤

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Valentine Frame

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Anita

This is quite possibly the easiest project I have ever made. It is perfect for the crafty-challenged, those who need an easy decoration, or those pressed for time but want a little something for Valentine’s Day decor.

You will need an open back frame of your choice. My frame actually had an easel back on it, but I was able to remove it with my trusty exacto knife. The brown burlap heart ornament (complete with hanging twine) came from Hobby Lobby. The red burlap heart (came in a package of 6) and the burlap lace ribbon are also from Hobby Lobby.

Glue one of the red hearts to the center of the burlap heart ornament. Then glue the ornament to the center-top back of the frame, using the twine hanger, so the ornament hangs freely. Tie a bow with the ribbon and glue to the center-top front of the frame.

And it’s just that easy!! Takes less than 10 minutes and you have a cute frame to add to your Valentine decor. You can see it here on my mantel along with the Valentine Garland I made.❤️

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Valentine Garland

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Anita

Do you decorate for Valentine’s Day? This a super quick and easy Valentine garland to add to your mantel or across a window to share a little love.

I used the largest heart die in this set from Spellbinders. I die cut 7 hearts and using tiny 1-1/2″ clothespins clipped them onto twine leaving a couple of inches between each heart. I then knotted red and white gingham ribbon between the hearts. I really like how this turned out – just a simple idea that adds a little pop to my mantel. ❤

Stay tuned and I’ll tell you about the frame in this picture next week 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Decor, Uncategorized, Valentine | 4 Comments

Hip Hugger Bars

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Anita

The name says it all. These incredibly tasty bars go directly to your hips. I mean just look at everything that’s in them…

All of this yummy goodness in one bar! What more could you want?!?! I only make these when I need to take a dessert to share – otherwise I would eat the whole pan!! 😉

Here’s the recipe:

Hip Hugger Bars

30 light caramels
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 pkg Betty Crocker German Chocolate cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup melted butter
1/3 cup milk
12 ounce bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Unwrap caramels. Melt caramels in evaporated milk in a small saucepan. Set aside.

Combine cake mix, milk, and butter. Mix well. Add nuts. Pat 2/3 of dough into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake 6 minutes. Remove from oven. Cake will have risen but still be quite soft.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust, then drizzle caramel mixture over melting chocolate. Drop remaining dough by spoonfuls over the top. Return to oven for 15 minutes or until set.

Cool completely before cutting.

My kitchen smells wonderful!!!